Rep L-Rows 7-22 for the pattern. Continue to work in the pattern until 54 rows above the twisted rib have been completed. End with a WS row.

L-Armhole shaping: Bind off 4 sts at beg of next row and continue in established pattern across. Work seven more rows in the established pattern over 36(38,40) sts, adjusting the number of sts worked in the St st section to allow for the bound-off sts.

Continuing to work in the established pattern, make a (k 1, SSK) decrease at armhole edge on every RS row until 32 rows have been completed from beg of armhole shaping (86 rows above the twisted rib).

Rep R-Rows 7-22 for the pattern. Continue to work in the pattern until 55 rows above the twisted rib have been completed. End with a RS row.

R-Armhole shaping: Bind off 4 sts at beg of next row and continue in established pattern across. Work six more rows in the established pattern over 36(38,40) sts, adjusting the number of sts worked in the St st section to allow for the bound-off sts.

Continuing to work in the established pattern, make a (k2tog, k 1) decrease at armhole edge on every RS row until 31 rows have been completed from beg of armhole shaping (86 rows above the twisted rib).

R-Row 87: [P 1, k 1] twice; p 2, k 10, p 2; k 3(5,7), k2tog, k 1.

R-Row 88: P 5(7,9); k 2, p 10, k 2;

[k 1, p 1] twice.

R-Row 89: [P 1, k 1] twice; p 2, k 10, p 2; k 2(4,6), k2tog, k 1.

R-Row 90: P 4(6,8), k2tog, place remaining 16 sts on a holder for the neck.

With WS facing, put the pieces together on the circular needle in the following order: left front, sleeve, back, sleeve, right front. K each st, picking up and knitting 8 sts on the right and left front pieces where the necks curve.

Continuing the first and last four sts of the button bands as established, work all other sts in Twisted Rib for four rows. On next row, add a buttonhole on right front button band as before. Work three more rows as established. Bind off.

Weave in the loose ends with the tapestry needle. Use the hand-sewing needle and all-purpose thread to sew on the heart buttons.§

FINISHED SIZE: Cardigan has a finished chest measurement of 33(35-1/2,37) inches and fits a child with a chest measurement of 28(30,32) inches.

Abbreviations

dec decrease

inc increase

k knit

p purl

psso pass slipped st over

rem remaining

beg beginning

lp(s) loop(s)

rep repeat

rnd(s) round(s)

RS right side

sl slip

st(s) stitch(es)

tog together

WS wrong side

yo yarn over

* or [ ] Instructions after * or ­between brackets are ­repeated a ­given number of times.

( ) Instructions in ­parentheses are all worked in one stitch or space as ­indicated.